Gas-meter



E. S. DICKEY GAS METER.

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GAS METER.

APPLICAHON FILED MAR.20, I9l8.

Patented June 10, 1919.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2 E. s. DICKEY. GAS METER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 20,1918.

Patented June 10, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- E. S. DICKEY.

GAS METER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 20, 1918.

- Patented June 10, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

' citizen of the United States,

EDMUND S. DICKEY, OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICANMETER COMPANY, IN (3., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

GAS-(METER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 10, 1919.

Application filed March 20, 1918. Serial No. 223,574.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND S. DICKEY, a residing in the county ofBaltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Gas-Meters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to dry-type gas meters.

The object of the invention is to increase the capacity of the meter,without materially increasing the size of the unit, and at the sametime, decrease the number of revolutions or cycles of the rotary andother moving parts, thus reducing the retarding effects of the metermechanism upon the gas in passing through the meter, and greatly addingto the life of the meter, as well as the continued accuracy inmeasurement of the gas, due to the absence of lost motion that, as aboveindicated, results from wear.

Another object of my invention is to so construct the gas channels thatcomplete drainage of the gas condensates is accomplished.

In the installation of meters, size or dimensions of the units is aconsideration of great importance, in connection with the utilization offloor space, and this particu larly with regard to the width and heightof the meter, the depth of the unit being of comparatively minorimportance.

It is well recognized that in the average town or city, the greaterportion of gas consumption will be found in the downtown section, wherethere is an ever increasing tendency toward greater consumption of gasfor industrial purposes, and at the same time, it is. usually found thatin such sections, the distributing plants have their oldest mains, whichare subject to the greatest leakage. With the natural tendency of thegas to throw its heavier pressure into what are usually the higheroutlying sections of the community, the result is that the lowersections, where the industrial requirements are greatest, suffer fromlack of pressure. To offset this loss, the distributing plant iscompelled to increase the pressure in the downtown sections, with theundesired result of unnecessary increase in pressure in the outlyingsections, and consequently, any means, device or contrivance that willfacilitate the distribution of gas to industrial and other consumers inall sections, and parcompany suffers, and which ticularly in lowsections, with a minimum amount of pressure absorption between the mainsand the consumers appliances, is of great and important moment.

Especially is this true when it is recognized that gas companies do notwish to increase their street main pressures abnormally for the purposeof overcoming loss of pressure resulting from meter absorption, orotherwise, for obviously, if increase in pressure means a correspondingincrease in pressure on all joints throughout the distribution lines,which in turn means an increase in the amount of leakage, which the is adirect loss, the desire of a gas manufacturer is to distribute the gasunder reasonably low pressures. Usually, in large cities, thedistribution pressure will run anywhere from 2" to 5 water column persquare inch, or an average distribution pressure of 3 to 3 water column.Under this pressure, it is highly important that the meter or measuringinstrument in use should absorb the least possible amount of pressure inoperation, thus leaving available the maximum pressure for directapplication at the consumers burners or appliances. This is particularlytrue in the present day use of gas for industrial purposes and in thehousehold, where gas is used for lighting on Welsbach mantles, or forcook stoves or other appliances, for in such cases, about ninety percent. of all gas used is consumed through the so-called Bunsen burner,in which the gas pressure is depended upon for proper mixture of gas andair for proper combustion, determined by the adjustment of the burner.The natural desire is to distribute gas under the lowest reasonablepressure, and although seemingly paradoxical, nevertheless it isdesired, at the same time, to deliver gas at the highest reasonablepressure. Therefore, it is highly important that themeter itself measureand pass the gas with the least possible absorption of pressure.

Inthe Standard meter, it is figured that an absorption of 1%" watercolumn pressure persquare inch for meter operation, is allowed, which isa loss of pressure in operation. Therefore, my purpose is, as aboveindicated, to increase the capacity of the meter, without increasing itsexternal dimensions, without increasing the pressure absorbed from themeter operation, and without increase in speed ratio of the meter. ThisI doby increasing the number of valves employed and structurallychanging the meter unit to adapt it for cooperation with the additionalvalves. and by certain changes in the mode of operation of the valves,and s0 constructing the parts that the volumetric capacity of thediaphragms or measuring chambers for each complete cycle, will greatlyincrease the amount of gas measured and accordingly increase thecapacity of the meter as represented in cubic feet of gas passed perhour, without a corresponding increase in the number of cycles orrevolutions of the working parts of the meter. This, in effect, is areduction in the speed ratio of the meter or a reduction in the numberof revolutions of the meter per cubic foot of gas measured. By thisreduction in the speed ratio per foot, the moving parts of the meter aresubjected to less wear in delivering any given quantity of gas and lessstrain or torque on the moving parts, with consequent great durabilityand longer life of the meter, and accuracy and reliability in measuringthe gas, which accuracy results primarily from the absence of lostmotion due to wear.

I have found in practice, taking the ordi-- nary thirty light meter as atype, that without increasing its external dimensions, can, with myimprovements, get a greatly increased capacity. The average capacity ofthe thirty light meter is approximately 600 cubic feet ofgas per hour,at approximately 960 revolutions per hour of the working parts, withspeed ratio of 1% revolutions for each cubic foot.

I have improved this thirty light size meter so that I can, without inany way changing the external dimensions of the meter, passapproximately 800 cubic feet of gas per hour, at the same time reducingthe speed ratio from 1% to 1- revolutions per foot, and this, withoutincreasing the pressure absorption by the meter in operation.

It will be apparent from the foregoing, that the increase in capacity ofmeter units of any present standard capacity, will cause a decrease inthe number of units required for any given purpose, or to meet any givenrequirement, and that there will be a corresponding decrease in expenseincident to manifolding or connecting up the various units and anincident saving in floor space. For instance, I estimate that with myimprovements, the capacity of the meter unit is increased 33-consequently where nine meters of former construction are required in agiven instance, six of the improved meters would suflice. So far as I amaware, in meters heretofore constructed, the gas enters the meter fromthe intake through a revolutions per foot,

gas-tight channel supported upon the valve table. In my improvements, Iprovide above the valve table, a plate spanning the .entire area. of themeter, thus forming a gas compartment or chamber above the valve table,entirely separated from the upper part of the meter. I am thus enabledto introduce agreater volume of gas with a com sequent increase inpressure, and I also slightly increase the size of the intake and outletopenings to meet this changed condition. V

WVith the above and other objects, having in view the structuralimprovements of me tors in detail, which will become apparent in thecourse of the following description, the invention consists in the novelcombination and arrangement of parts whereby my objects areaccomplished.

In the drawings illustrating the invention;

Figure 1 is a top plan View of the meter embodying my improvements, withthe top removed and a plate immediately below it,

partly broken away to show the valve arrangement.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the meter taken below the valve tableand looking toward the top of the meter.

Fig. 3 is a. section taken about on line a-Z Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section of portions of the meter below the valvetable, taken about on line c-d of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of the valve operating shaft, showing themanner of connecting the valve arms to the cranks of the shaft.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a cross. section of one of the valves, valve seat, and aportion of the valve table and channels below the same.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the casing, which inexterior formation does not differ in any material way from the casingnow commonly used, which is rectangular in shape and comprises front andrear walls 2 and 8, side Walls 4 and and top 6, and intake and outletmanifolds A and B, respectively, and of course, a suitable bottom, notshown. The numerals 7 and 8 designate diaphragms of the bellows type,and of usual construction, that is to say, comprising circular metallicplates 9 and 10, which are connected to a central metallic ring 11 byleather sections 12, which adapt the diaphragms for the usual dilatingand contracting movements caused by the flow of gas into and out ofthem, during the movement of the meter parts. The diaphragms aresuitably supported centrally, and the plates 9 and 10, may be connectedin the usual way to the flags of the meter.

These diaphragms, while they operate in unison to receive and expel thegas'are independent of, or separated from each other by a verticalcentral partition 13 to which the diaphragms are attached. The partitionextends from the bottom of the meter to the valve table, which isdesignated by the numeral 14, the partition extending also to the sidesof the meter casing, thus forming two diaphragm chambers in which thegas, in passing through the meter, flows, and whose pressure in thechambers is utilized under certain valve controlled operations, to exerta pressure upon the diaphragms to cause their collapse and theconsequent ejection of gas therefrom, through suitable. ports andchannels to the outlet or discharge opening of the meter.

The numerals 15 and 16 designate the flagstaifs stepped in suitablebearings at the bottom of the meter, and extending upwardly through thestufling boxes 17 and 18, rigidly supported in the present instance, bythe valve table and flange of an addltional plate, which I provide inthe upper portion of the meter, and which will be presently described indetail. The stufling box in the present instance is, for the purposes ofstrength, made somewhat longer than the usual stufling box, so that itmay span the space between, and have the support of the valve table 14,and the additional plate just mentioned.

Each of these staffs carries the usual flag 18 secured to the shaft orotherwise rigidly connected therewith, and having swivel connection withthe outer metallic plates of the diaphragms, as indicated at 19, so thatthe expansion and collapsing of the diaphragms,

caused by the flow of the gas through the diaphragms and meter casing,will cause oscillation of the flagstaffs and consequently throughcertain link and arm connections about to be described, operate thevalves, which, in turn, control the admission of gas into and out of thediaphragms and into, and out of the casing, and out of the channelswhich communicate with the outlet opening.

Mounted at the upper end of the staff 15 is staff arm 20 and upon theupper end of the staff 16 is mounted staif arm 21, and to the free endof the arm 20, is pivotally connected link 22 and to the correspondingend of arm 21, link 23 is similarly connected, and

both of these links are pivotally connected with a stud 24, carried bythe threaded adjusting nut 25, working on the threaded tangent 26, whichin turn is rigidly connected to the upper end of the valve operatingshaft which shaft is stepped at its lower end into a socket in a stud28, approximately centrally located upon the valve table 14, which formsthe lower bearing for the shaft. A further bearing for the valveoperating shaft is formed on the upper side of a substantial metallicdisk 29, and is constituted by a stufiing box 30 through which the shaftabove the cranks extends. This disk is supported on the valve table by aplurality of posts 31, sufficient in number to provide the requiredrigidity of the disk to adapt it to serve as be, rings for otheroperating parts.

Mounted upon this disk is an ear 32 which serves as a bearing for thehorizontal dial shaft 33, which shaft carries a worm gear 34 in meshwith worm 35, secured to the valve operating shaft, and through whichthe revolutions of the valve operating shaft are communicated to thedial shaft and accordingly to the mechanism at the front of the meter,which mechanism and manner of operating the same in the presentinstance, is like that commonly employed for this pur pose andconsequently no further detail description of this mechanism isnecessary.

The numeral 36 designates, as a whole, an additional plate peculiar tomy construction, which plate spans the entire interior area of the upperpart of the meter and is sufliciently spaced from the valve table toallow for introduction and operation of the valves and their connectedparts, and with the valve table and the walls of the meter casing, formsa tight gas chamber 36', into which the gas,- through the meter inlet,enters before passing into any other parts of the meter. This plate 36also forms, with the top and sides of the casing, a separate gasfreechamber 36", which gives free access for adjustment of the meter at thetime of test or proving. This plate 36 is of separable character, thatis to say, when complete, it comprises an edge flange 37 soldered orotherwise attached in a gas-tight manner, to the walls of the meter, andthis rectangular flange extends outwardly for a short dis tance, leavinga large rectangular opening 38 through which access can be had to thevalves, and their connected parts,for the purpose of installation, inthe first instance, or for the purposes of repair thereafter. In thecompleted structure, this aperture is entirely covered by a rectangularplate 39, flanged downwardly at its edges to fit over correspondingupturned edge-flanges 40 of the large flange 37, to which flanges 40,the plate is soldered. This plate 39 is further soldered to the disk 29,and thus a very rigid and durable construction is produced.

Reverting to the valve operating shaft, I provide this shaft with threecranks 41, 42 and 43, instead of with one crank, which characterizesmeters of usual construction. Connected to the crank 41 by valve arm 44,is a valve 45, and connected with the crank 43, by valve arm 46, isvalve 47. To the in termediate crank 42, through valve arms 48 and 49,are connected valves 50 and 51, the connections between the cranks andthe valves, as shown, being pivotal connections, as usual. The valves 50and 51 are, as I have termed them, primary valves, and valves 45 and 47are supplementary valves, and the angulation of the cranks is such thata primary valve and a supplemental valve, located on one side of thepartition, work in unison, and a primary valve and supplemental valve onthe other side of the partition, also work in unison. All of the valvesare provided with guide rods 52 which work through apertures in studs 53supported on the valve table, thus insuring accurate lineal movement inthe reciprocation of the valves.

The numerals 54, 55, 56 and 57 designate the valve seats which arerectangular in shape and suitably supported in the valve table, andextend a short distance above the same, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. Eachseat is provided with three ports, one leading to the diaphragm, anotherto the casing, or to the gas-tight chamber, in which the diaphragm islocated, and the remaining or central port leading to the outlet ordischarge channel which, as will appear presently, communicates with theoutlet or discharge opening of the meter. For the purpose ofstrengthening the seats, a central rib is cast integral with them, whichrib stops short of the upper or hearing edges of the valves, andseemingly gives to each valve, SlX ports, but since any two ports in avalve seat divided by the rib, will establish gas communication witheither the diaphragm, diaphragm casing and outlet channelsimultaneously, they can, and will be for the purpose of thisdescription, regarded as single ports. The numeral 58 designates theinner or diaphragm ports, 59 the casing ports, and 60 the outlet ports,that is to say, the ports that establish communication between thechamber 86 and the diaphragms, and between the diaphragms and the outletports, and from the chamber 36' to the casing, and from the easing tothe outlet ports, through the various channels provided for the transferof gas from one point to the other.

The numerals 61 and 62 designate the two diaphragm channels, that is tosay, the breathing channels or the channels through which the diaphragmssuccessively fill and empty. These, as shown clearly in Fig. 4, arelocated one on each side of the central partition 13. The channel 62opens at its upper end into channel 63, leading to the ports 58 in valveseats 56 and 57 which are successively covered and uncovered in themovement of the valves to seal the diaphragm ports against flow of gasto the tition 13, and the channel 65, in turn communicates with thediaphragm ports 58, through the valves, through the outlet ports 60, inthe other valve seats 54 and 55, to the outlet channel 66, which alsoleads to the outlet B. In other positions of the valves (the valves andvalve seats being of identical construction), than that shown in Fig.7,they will close the casing ports 59 against the flow of gas into thecasing from chamber 36 and establish communication between the casingand the outlet ports 60. The operation of the valves is successive, say,first to permit the gas to flow through the diaphragm ports 58, throughthe channels into the diaphragms and out of the diaphragms to the outletand from the casing to the outlet. V r

The numeral 67 designates an arm having a downwardly extending angularportion soldered or otherwise attached to the disk 29. This arm isprovided at its inner end with an eye which surrounds the upper part ofthe valve operating shaft, and serves as a bearing for the same. Pivotedin a slot in the outer end of this arm, is a pawl 68, provided below itspivotal point with a shoulder adapted to limit its movement in onedirection. This pawl is engaged by the tangent in the revolution of themeter parts, the movement of the tangent being unobstructed in onedirection, but entirely prevented in the other direction, thus providingagainst retrograde movement.- of the parts, all of which is usual inmeters of this character.

The numeral 69 designates a baflie which I place between the valve table14 and the plate 36, opposite the intake opening. This baflle, as shownin dotted lines in Fig. 1, extends only a short distance across themeter and serves the purpose of preventing the introduction of aninstrument through the intake opening, to tamper with the mechamsm.

'In operation, gas comes in through the intake manifold A, into thechamber 36, and in the position of the valves shown in Fig. 1, which wemay take as a starting point, the gas flows through the ports 58 whichare open, to one of the diaphragms and as soon as the gas begins to flowinto a diaphragm, the movement of the parts is started, whichstarts theopening of dia phragm ports 58 on the other side of the partition, andduring this part of the cycle of the mechanism, both diaphragms arebeing filled. A further movement will move the valves to close thediaphragm ports against gas from chamber 36, and establish communicationbetween said ports through ports 60, to outlet channels, and opening thecasing ports 59, permitting gas to flow into the casing to collapse thediaphragms and force the gas out of them.

When the diaphragms are emptying at their full capacit the position ofthe valves will be such as that shown in Fig. 7. Then the valve hasreached the limit of its forward movement and will continue the emptyinguntil the front flange of the valve in its rearward movement hascompletely closed the port 58 and at this time, the rear flange of thevalve has closed the casing port, preventing intake to the casing fromthe chamber 36. Its continued rearward movement opens the diaphragm port58 for the intake of gas from the chamber 36 and immediately establishescommunication for the outlet of gas from the casing, through the port59, through the valve to the outlet port 60, through which it passes tothe main outlet.

It will be noted that the connections between the flagstaffs, tangentand valve operating shaft, are above the plate 36, and between saidplate and the cover proper of the meter, thus providing a gas-freechamber above the plate, and giving ready and convenient access totheadjustment mechanism, without the necessity of emptying the meter.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a gasmeter, a casing having compartments therein, in combination with theinlet and outlet, two diaphragms located in separate compartments, fourvalves controlling the flow of gas into and out of the diaphragms andtheir compartments, mechanisms for operating the valves, and suitablechannels for conducting the gas to the meter outlet after it has passedthrough the diaphragms and their compartments. V

In a gas meter, in combination, a casing having compartments therein,two diaphragms in separate compartments, four valves, two of Whichcontrol the service of gas to and from one diaphragm and its compartmentand the other two valves controlling the service of gas to and from theother diaphragm and its compartment, a

, single valve operating shaft, and connectlons between the shaft andall of the valves.

3. In a gas meter, in combination, a casing having compartments therein,two diaphragms located in separate compartments, four valves, two ofwhich control the service of gas to and from one diaphragm and itscompartment, and the other two valves controlling the service of gas toand from the other diaphragm and its compartment, a single valveoperating shaft formed with three cranks, connections between two of thecranks and two valves respectively, and connections between the othertwo valves and the remaining crank.

4. In a gas meter, in combination, a suitable casing having compartmentstherein, two diaphragms, a pair of valves controlling the flow of gas toand from one diaphragm and its compartment, and two valves controllingthe flow of gas to and from the other diaphragm and its compartment, asingle valve operating shaft and connections between the valves andoperating shaft, whereby two valves in each pair will operate in unison.

5. In a gas meter, in combination, a suit able casing havingcompartments therein, two diaphragms in separate compartments in thecasing, a pair of valves for each diaphragm and its compartment, asingle valve operating shaft formed with three cranks, connectionsbetween two of the cranks and two valves respectively, and connectionsbetween the other two valves and the remaining crank.

6. In a gas meter, in combination, a suitable casing, a valve table, agas tight chamber above the table and formed by a plate intermediatebetween the Valve table and the top of the meter casing, and completelyspanning the space above the table, a meter inlet communicating with thechamber, and a suitable meter outlet.

7 In a gas meter, in combination with a plurality of separate gas-tightchambers of diaphragms located in said chambers, and the meter intakeand outlet, of a primary set of valves and a supplemental set, one valveof the supplemental set working with a valve of the primary setto serveone diaphragm and chamber, and a valve of the primary set working with avalve of the supplemental set to serve the other diaphragm and thechamber in which it is located, a valve operating shaft, means foroperating said valves to establish communication between the meter inletand outlet openings through thediaphragms and the cham bers in which thediaphragms are located.

8. In a gas meter, in combination with a plurality of separate gas-tightchambers of diaphragms located in said chambers, and the meter intakeand outlet, of a set of primary valves, and a supplemental set, a valveof the supplemental set working in unison with a valve of the primaryset to serve one diaphragm, and another valve of-the primary set workingin unison with another valve of the supplemental set to serve the otherdiaphragm, and the chamber in which it is located, a valve operatingshaft, means for operating said valves to establish communicationbetween the meter inlet and out let openings, through the diaphragms andthe chambers in which the diaphragms are located.

9. In a gas meter,

in combination, a suit able casing,

a plurality of diaphragms and the meter intake and outlet, of a valvetable above the diaphragms, a partition arranged within the meter casingand forming with the walls of the meter, and the valve table,

separate chambers for the diaphragms, a primary set of valves and asupplemental set, a valve of the supplemental set working with a valveof the primary set on one side of the partition, and a valve of theprimary set working with a valve of the supplemental set on the otherside of the partition, a valve operating shaft having connections withthe valves, valve seats having suitable ports adapted to be covered anduncovered by the valves in their movement to establish communicationbetween the meter inlet and outlet openings, through the diaphragms andmeter casing.

10. In a gas meter, in combination, a suitable casing, a plurality ofdiaphragms and the meter intake and outlet, of a valve table above thediaphragms, a partition arranged within the meter casing and forming,with the walls of the meter and the valve table, separate chambers forthe diaphragms, a primary set of valves and a supplemental set, a valveof the supplemental set working in unison with a valve of the primaryset on one side of the partition, and a'valve of the primary set workingin unison with a valve of the supplemental set on the other side of thepartition, a valve operating shaft having connections with the valves,suitable ports adapted to be covered and uncovered by the valves intheir movement to establish communication between the meter inlet andoutlet openings, through the diaphragms and meter casing.-

11. In a gas meter, in combination, a suitable casing, a plurality ofdiaphragms and the meter intake and outlet, of a valve table above thediaphragms, a partition forming with the valve table and the metercasing, separate diaphragm compartments, separated valve seats on eachside of the partition, and provided with ports, a primary set of valvesand a supplemental set, a valve of the supplemental set working inunison with a valve ofthe primary set on one side of the partition, anda valve of the primary set working in unison with a valve of thesupplemental 'setron the other side of the partition, a valve operatingshaft and connections between the shaft and the valves whereby, when thevalves are operated the ports will be covered and uncovered to establishcommunication between the meter inlet and outlet openings through thediaphragms and the diaphragm compartments.

12. In a gas meter, in combination, a suitable casing havingcompartments therein, and an inlet and outlet, two diaphragms located inseparate gas-tight compartments, a valve table above the diaphragms,valves on said table, two for each diaphragm, an operating shaft,connections between the operating shaft and the valves, whereby thevalves in each set are operated in unison to serve one diaphragm and itscompartment, suitable valve seats having ports in the valve tablecommunicating with the diaphragms and with the compartments in whichthey are located, and with suitable outlet openings, wherebycommunication is established between the intake and outlet openings.

13. In a gas meter, the combinationwith a suitable casing havingcompartments therein and an inlet and outlet, two diaphragms located inseparate compartments, a valve table above the diaphragms and havingports therein communicating with the dia-. phragms, and theircompartments, suitable outlet channels communicating with said ports, avalve operating shaft formed with three cranks, valves adapted to bereciprocated to open and close the ports, two of the valves beingconnected with one of the cranks and two of the valves connected oneeach with the other two cranks.

14. In a gas meter, in combination with a suitable casing havingcompartments therein and an inlet and outlet, two diaphra ns located inseparate compartments, a va ve table having ports therein for servingthe diaphragms and their compartments separately, valves adapted tocover and uncover said ports, an operating shaft having connection withthe valves, whereby when the shaft is rotated, the valves arercciprocated, and a plate in the meter casing above the valve table andintermediate between. said table and the top of the casing, and spanningsubstantially the entire space between the casing walls, thus forming,with the valve table, a gas chamber for the reception of the incominggas and from which chamber the gas is supplied below the valve table.

15. In a gas meter, the combination witha suitable gas-tight casing, adiaphragm in said casing, a suitable intake and an outlet, a valvetable, valves on said table for controlling the flow of gas to the lowerpart of the casing, and mechanism through which the valves are operated,and a plate above the valve table and intermediate between said tableand the top of the casing, which, withv the casing, forms a gas chamberfor thereception of the gas, said chamber having communication with theintake opening. of the meter. y j

16. In a gas meter,..in combination with a suitable casing havingcompartments there-- in, and an intake and outlet, oftwo diaphragmslocated in separate compartments, a valve table above the 'diaphragmsand having separated diaphragm, outlet, andcasing ports therein, aplurality of valves for each; diaphragm and its compartment, a channelleading from one diaphragm to theldiaphragm ports of two valves, and achannel I ing having ported above having intake and J the course ofphragm ports of the other two valves, and a channel to the outlet portsof the last mentioned two valves, the outlet channels communicating withthe meter outlet.

17. In a gas meter, in combination, a suitable casing having intake andoutlet openings, a plurality of channels for directing the flow of gasfrom the intake to the outlet, through the casing, said outlet channelsbeing formed with bottoms inclining generally downward from the inlettoward the outlet, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

18. In a gas meter, in combination, a casing outlet openings, a valvetable, a plurality of channels below the table for directing the flow ofgas through the easing, said outlet channels being formed with bottomsinclining generally downward from the intake toward the outlet.

19. In a gas meter, in combination, a casintake and outlet openings, avalve table, a plurality of channels secured to the under side of thetable for directing gas through the casing, said outlet channels beingformed with bottoms inclining generally downward from the in take towardthe outlet.

20. In a gas meter, in combination, a suitable casing, a valve table,valves on said table, a crank shaft, and connections between the valvesand shaft, whereby the valves are reciprocated, a plate rigidly supthevalve table, and spaced 3 therefrom, said plate serving as a bearing forthe valve operating shaft, and means for supporting the plate.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Washington, D. G.

21. In a gas meter, in combination, a suitable casing, a valve table, avalve operating shaft, valves on the table having connection with theoperating shaft, for the purpose set forth, and a plate above the valvetable and spaced therefrom, a plurality of posts mounted on the valvetable, and supporting said plate and a stufling box for the operatingshaft carried by the plate.

22. In a gas meter, in combination, a suitable casing, a valve table inthe casing, valves on said table, a valve operating shaft, connectionsbetween the shaft and the valves, whereby the valves are operated, acircular plate above the valve table spaced therefrom, posts carried bythe valve table and a stuffing box for the operating shaft, carried bythe plate, the plate serving also as a support for other operative meterparts.

23. In a gas meter, in combination, four valves, an operating shafthaving three cranks, and suitable connections between the cranks and thevalves, whereby the valves are operated.

24:- In a gas meter, in combination, four valves, an operating shafthaving three cranks, .connections between two of the cranks, and twovalves respectively, and connections between the other two valves andthe remaining crank, whereby the valves are operated.

In testimony whereof I affix in presence of two witnesses.

EDMUND S. DICKEY. Witnesses FRANK G. BRERETON, TITIAN W. JOHNSON.

my signature Commissioner of Patents,

